New Plymouth

Arrived in this town Saturday eve, didn’t get up to much that evening aside from shopping at the Pak-n-Save up the street.
I haven’t been in a Costco in many years, but I imagine this is what Pak-n-Save is like, but with food only. Just another overwhelming big-box, but oh those low prices. Like $5.99NZD for one of several varieties of Hardy wines.
Sunday morning was spent in the local contemporary art gallery and wandering around a couple of outdoor markets, as described previously.
One of the hostel owners kindly lent me his bike, Even though I’ve not been on one in quite awhile, I thought it’d be a great way to cover more of the Coastal Walkway. Turned out it was much less aggravating to my sore ankle than a walk would be. Still feeling effects of hiking Kapiti Island and other walks. That and old age!
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, flat cycling with little wind. Had to take care on the walkway for pedestrians, esp. of the toddler variety, and remember to keep to the left side.
Lots of photo stops and went as far north as Fitzroy Beach. Sat with my picnic lunch and watched the surfers. Surprised my mom (or ‘mum’ as is the common spelling here) with a phone call from my handy little mobile phone.
Cycled past a woman sitting by walkway in her beach chair offering massages $5 for 5 minutes, $10 for 10 -- I was sorely (ha ha) tempted.
Didn’t have time to check out the local museum, which got good reviews. Still, a day in this town probably enough for me, unless I was going to do some hiking on Mt. Taranaki nearby. Or drive along the surf highway south of here, which looks cool. Onwards to Taupo..